Mistaken Words chapter 66

[Morganeth]

Mistaken Words

AN: I hope everyone enjoyed the last chapter, They?ll be taking on the Inner Circle soon!

I want to thank my editors for finding time in their busy schedules to edit these chapters for me! THANKS!

Disclaimer: I don?t own Gundam Wing

Prove It!

Sally passed a file folder across to her friend before settling back in her chair again with a mug of hot coffee. It was the middle of January and she and the pilots had made several long trips to the Warehouse. She had put Heero through everything she could think of. He had met every challenge face on and won. Sally had been thrilled, but not the least bit surprised that Heero could fight his way back from such extensive injuries and continue to be such an incredible fighter.

?This is impressive Sally,? Une commented, placing the folder on the coffee table between them where they sat in Sally?s apartment.

?From the first time it was like he hadn?t been laid up for almost a year,? she nodded, and knew just how pleased Heero was about all of this. He had been eager for each mission, though he had kept a better control over his vitals than he had on the first day, Sally had caught his slips every once in a while.

?So?? Une began looking at Sally intently, the doctor knew she was waiting for something.

Sally took a sip of her coffee, ?When?s the mission actually set for??

?I?ve been waiting on you to clear Heero for the mission,? she returned, ?Once you?ve done that I can have the last people gathered and arranged in a week?s time.? She took up her own mug, ?According to what I just saw in here,? her index finger tapped against the folder, ?He?s ready.?

?His physical?s tomorrow,? Sally informed, tomorrow was a Sunday which would leave her offices empty allowing her?with the help of the pilots?to slip Heero inside.

?Good, does he know yet?? the commander asked with an arched eyebrow.

?He ought to know it?s coming?? she began, eyes dropping from her friends face to look off in another direction, ?But I wasn?t planning on actually telling him until I need him to come down.?

?I have no doubts he?ll pass with flying colors, but after so long I?m not willing to over look a formality,? Une said leaning back in her chair.

Sally nodded her head in agreement, ?I?m more concerned about his headaches, in the end it?s all really just an excuse for me to find out what?s causing them,? and she was going to do just that whether Heero liked it or not.

?Any guesses about it??

?No?? she sighed in frustration, ?I?ve been wracking my brain over it ever since I found out, I can think of a lot of possibilities but nothing really fits completely.?

Une smiled reassuringly, ?You?ll find out what it is.?

She leaned forward suddenly clasping her hands together and looking Une directly in the eye, ?I?m going to find out what it is,? Sally agreed with a brief nod, ?But then I?m just going to ignore it and send him into a mission??

?It has been over half a year,? Une pointed out, ?Do you really expect to find something life threatening??

?I just don?t know what I?m going to find, and I really don?t think Heero wants to know?? she ran a hand over the back of her head, dropping it down to massage at her neck.

?That?s not very sound thinking on his part,? Une mused.

?If you had been bed-ridden for as long as he, would you want to find out about something that could possibly put you back there?? Sally asked, ?I know if doesn?t make much sense, but he?s still human, even if at times he?d rather not admit it.?

?True,? Une leaned back raising her right arm so it rested on the back of the seat, fingers tracing lightly along the top, ?I?ve been thinking about the reactions I?ll get from the other agents when they see Heero.?

?That?ll definitely make things more interesting?? Sally breathed having not thought that far ahead yet.

?I figure it?s not necessary for every agent to know that he?s a part of this or even alive until after the mission is complete. It?s enough that we got the info from him and are acting on it,? her eyes sought the ceiling, expression serious. ?Of course the ones we send in with the pilots will have to know.?

?We can deal with that closer to the actual date though,? she smirked to herself imagining their expressions when Heero walked into the room, it would be interesting to say the least. Sally blinked suddenly an idea just occurring to her, ?What about Relena? Where?s she going to be during this time??

?With her usual guards gone it could possibly raise a lot of questions if we just switched them out; then again I don?t know if we?ll be able to manage keeping her secluded here either.? Une looked back to Sally, ?The last thing I want is to incite any form of panic, but I don?t want her dodging questions the entire time either.

?Well we can always hope the change will go unnoticed, its Relena the media wants not her personal guards, though they have attracted their own share of attention over the years??

?Heh?? Une chuckled dryly, ?Sometimes I just wish for a simple life??

Sally laughed, ?Yeah right, you?d be so bored!?

?Not if I?d never experiences any of this,? Une smiled shaking her head slowly, ?Don?t worry about Relena, I?ll look after everything, you just focus on Heero.? Her gaze on Sally?s face became suddenly intense, ?I told you so?? she gloated softly.

?What??

?I told you things between you and Heero would get better,? she pointed a single finger in her friend?s direction.

Sally sat back in her seat, her memory suddenly returning to of the conversation she and Une had had over three months ago. ?I just got so pissed off when he suddenly left the agency,? she admitted.

?I?m not surprised it took something like that, do you get the distinct impression Heero?s happier now too?? she suddenly asked.

The doctor thought about it for a moment, ?He?s certainly more relaxed.?

Une smiled shifting to the edge of her seat, ?It?ll be interesting to see how tomorrow goes for you.? She stood up, pulling a hand absently through her hair, ?You?ll send me a final report when you?re through??

?Of course,? Sally assured coming to her feet as well.

?Good luck tomorrow,? Une smiled making her way over to the door.

Sally chuckled, ?Thanks??

WMWMWMW

Heero woke slowly in the same room he had been waking in for the last eight months. Oddly enough it didn?t feel like his room despite the time he had put in there, and the pictures that Ash had placed on the wall for him. Perhaps it was because he knew it wasn?t permanent, he was going to move on from this place, back to his old room? He didn?t know about that, a willful portion of himself wanted to be wherever Relena was, but a more rational side of himself knew that wasn?t possible at least at the moment.

Pushing himself up in his bed Heero ran a hand through his hair pulling the unruly mass from his eyes briefly before it fell back into place content to remain where it was, and he could have cared less. Taking a moment to look himself over Heero noted the fading and still darkening bruises on one of his arms from the missions he had run through at the Warehouse. It had been several days since the last run through, and despite his enjoyment of them Heero was beginning to feel impatient. He hadn?t honestly expected it to go on for this long, he had thought the first three times would have been enough.

He lifted the blankets off himself and caught sight of the metallic glint of his gun. From the moment Trowa had given it to him it had been by his side resting beneath his right hand while he slept. He no longer needed it to protect himself, but he wasn?t about to get rid of it either, it had been a gift. Heero took the gun into his right hand and smoothed his left across it, the weight felt perfect in his hand now, exactly how he remembered it. A knock on his door brought up his eyes and caused him to place the weapon aside as he glanced towards the clock. It was too early in the day for Relena to be here, even if it was a Sunday, she liked to take that day and get a little extra sleep.

Sally walked through the door her eyes opening a little wider when she saw him in his bed, ?Did you just wake up?? she sounded surprised.

?Complain when I don?t sleep, complain when I do,? he mumbled under his breath, ?Yes,? he said so she could hear, though it should have been obvious. Heero shifted off the bed away from Sally standing on the cold tile floor, he glanced back over his shoulder, ?Warehouse?? he asked, she?d never come to personally get him but there was always a first despite what Relena tended to think.

?No, we?re done with that,? she folded her arms across her chest, ?In about a week?s time we?ll be taking out the Inner Circle.?

??Bout time,? Heero said immediately.

Sally chuckled, ?Well that just about put a smile on your face,? her expression grew a little more serious though as she walked to the end of the bed, ?There?s just one last thing you have to go through to be cleared for missions again.?

?Yeah,? he sighed, not at all surprised, ?That?s why you came down so early??

?Just thought you?d want to get it out of the way as soon as possible,? she shrugged one shoulder.

It was true, if he had to deal with being put under the microscope before he could finish this mission he wanted it done quick. He wasn?t a fan of the idea in the least, and this certainly wasn?t the first time he had been forced to deal with it. He could argue if he wanted, but in the end he just wanted to take down the Inner Circle, so he?d humor Sally in this, pass the physical and get back out in the field. ?Let?s just get this over with,? he said pulling some clean clothes out to change into, he didn?t bother leaving the room, just kept his back facing away from Sally.

Sally?s expression was one of surprise, as though she hadn?t been expecting him to agree so easily. Her stance relaxed a little as he continued to change and she moved back towards the door. Pulling on his shoes, Heero crossed the room as Sally glanced back over her shoulder to make sure he was following as they walked from the room, ?The pilots have taken care of the cameras, and we won?t run into anyone this early,? she assured as they strode towards the elevator.

Heero just nodded his head, if she was going to take him to the infirmary to do this?not that she didn?t have just about everything she needed right here?he had known the pilots would be in on it. Some soldiers were going to have to learn of him before they attacked the Inner Circle, but that wouldn?t happen until just before they left. Personally Heero would have preferred to avoid it all, he didn?t want to have to explain to everyone he came across that he wasn?t the enemy.

He could feel Sally?s eyes watching him frequently as they walked through the empty halls of the base, ?Have you thought about what you?re going to do when this is over?? she asked finally.

It was his turn to study her, as she pushed a door open for the both of them, the door leading into her section of the infirmary. ?No,? he responded after only a moment, he hadn?t thought about what he was going to do once the Inner Circle had been taken down, there would be more than enough time to do that when the mission was over. Why distract himself now? Relena would be waiting for him and he?d definitely want to spend some time with her.

?Why am I not surprised?? she asked with a sigh, smiling at him, ?I?ll bet Relena?s been thinking about it,? she commented with a wink.

Heero walked into the large examination room, ?No doubt,? he replied, he already knew definitively that she had been; Relena had asked him herself a while back. But he had never really bothered thinking too many steps ahead, even during the war he had entered a few situations not bothering to think of a way out. Though back then it was simply because his life had been expendable, or so he had thought at the time, now at least where the missions were concerned he wanted to be more on his toes, had to come back alive, had to see Relena?s smiling face.

He shook his head clearing away the thoughts that had been clouding his vision, only to see Sally staring at him a tiny smile on her lips, ?Why don?t you kick off your shoes and step on the scale,? she said pointing her thumb in the scale?s direction.

He repressed a sigh, ?Didn?t we just do this?? he had gone along with her without complaint, that didn?t mean he was just going to simply go along with whatever she said.

?Humor me,? was her flat reply.

Shrugging, Heero kicked off his shoes as Sally walked over to the counter and gathered a few things from the cupboards there. The electronic scale only took a second to read his weight and he was off it again pulling his shoes back on. Sally returned to him, a clipboard in hand pen twirling between her fingers as she glanced briefly at the screen before writing the number down, she had been harassing him on his weight just about once a week, no doubt she had a chart somewhere that she was carefully filling out.

?Hmmm?? she mused to herself looking up at him, ?Still not there yet.?

?You think it?d change in three days?? Heero looked at her skeptically.

She just grinned at him, ?Come sit over here,? she directed him with the clipboard that she held, towards the exam table resting against the far wall. Heero hopped up easily silently waiting for the barrage to begin, as Sally systematically began checking everything off on her list, marking down numbers an notes in the margin to later file away properly. The doctor informed Heero of everything before she continued, he wasn?t on edge at the moment, but was still grateful to get the forewarning.

His eyes wandered to the clock noting the slow progression of time as Sally continued her examination, asking him questions he attempted to answer with as few words as possible. This Sally was used to, and so didn?t complain, she had an amazing talent at reading them. The questions were as much to keep an awkward silence from coming between them as a conscious effort to annoy them.

WMWMWMW

Relena sat in the back seat of her car, Trowa right beside her as they drove to the agency. It was midmorning, and Sally had called her yesterday night asking her to come in and give her a hand with Heero. She wondered what sort of a mood he?d be in, she seriously doubted it?d be a good one, though there was always room to hope. ?So what does it mean that this is happening today?? she asked breaking the comfortable silence of their ride.

?In a week, we?ll be heading out to Freedom?s Point,? he answered looking down at her, his arms folded across his chest.

She had known it was coming, they had been working towards it for months, but still she felt surprised, and felt the first sparks of concern settle into her chest. Something told her it wasn?t going to lighten up until this was all over, only get worse. ?Just what Heero?s been waiting for?? she breathed wanting to say something but not sure what.

Trowa?s arms unfolded and he took Relena?s hand, ?Not that I expect you to sound thrilled, but you know we?ll have his back,? he offered with a reassuring squeeze of her hand.

?It?s not just him,? she contended immediately, of course she?d worry for the man she loved, but she had come to care for all the pilots over the years. Relena didn?t want to see any of them step into harms way, ?I?m not going to sleep at all until you?re all back.?

?I?m sure Sally can help you with that,? he replied deadpan, his lips twitching slightly though as if he were fighting to keep a smile from his face.

?Drugs will not stop me from worrying,? she told him keeping her expression serious though her mouth was threatening to turn up in a smile.

?Sure they will,? he countered, ?You just haven?t been taking the right ones.?

Relena looked at him in surprise unable to keep her expression as lacking as his still was looking down at her, ?Duo?s rubbing off on you,? she said after a moment.

?Maybe,? he looked back towards the front of the car, the moment seemingly gone.

She smiled and leaned against Trowa, glad finally that she felt normal around him, ?I want you all to come back safe. I don?t want you to have to go out and continue fighting.?

?As idealistic as ever,? he answered softly.

?In some ways,? she admitted knowing it to be true, it was impossible to expect the world to remain peaceful no matter how much of the population wanted it. Relena tried her hardest not to think of such things, it just got depressing. They just had to struggle on, watching carefully and praying that they could catch these organizations before they could incite any violence.

?We?re here,? Trowa announced as the car came to a stop.

?Do you suppose Sally?s in the infirmary with him right now?? she asked wondering if it was possible that Heero had gone without argument, she had a hard time believing it.

Trowa nodded his head as he got out of the car and offered her his hand, his emerald eyes scanning around, more out of habit that any fear of danger. ?If he balked Sally had us backing her, he?d go one way or another,? Trowa said opening the door for her that took them into the agency.

?You always work against each other when it comes to Sally,? she chuckled.

?Not always,? he smirked, ?Right now we?re working together.?

~Definitely too much time around Duo~ she thought, but kept it to herself as Trowa led the way through the corridors to the medical wing and Sally?s office. She was eager to see Heero as always, and hoped he?d be in a good mood, enough so that at least he was happy to see her. They hadn?t come across anyone in the halls?which Relena supposed was a good thing?when they came to Sally?s office, ?Do you know which room they?re in?? she asked, and Trowa silently nodded continuing to lead the way.

He knocked upon the door waiting for Sally?s okay to enter, having been expecting them they only had to wait a second. Walking into the large exam room, Relena immediately saw Heero slowly sitting up on the padded table while Sally pulled a scanner away from him. She smiled at the sight of him, unruly hair falling into his rich eyes, expression grim as was usual. Relena noted a tightness around his eyes and jaw, perhaps not uncommon for Heero, but the tense set of his shoulders also told her that he wasn?t happy. Though the minute those cobalt eyes landed on her a little of that tension seemed to melt away.

?I?m glad you could make it Relena,? Sally greeted with a smile as she jotted down some notes, her eyes switching between the paper she was writing on and the computer screen displaying the information she had just attained. ?We?re just about finished here,? she smiled slipping the pen onto the clip board.

?Just about?? Heero questioned eyes narrowing a fraction, ?You?ve been through everything, we?re through,? he stepped off the table.

?Not quite Heero,? Sally called out to him, ?There?s still the matter of an MRI and a CT scan.?

He glared at her darkly, and Relena knew instantly that Heero was going to fight this tooth and nail, ?That?s not part of this,? he told her firmly taking a few more steps towards the door, only to see that Trowa had planted himself squarely in front of it.

?For you pilots it ought to be,? she told him simply.

WMWMWMW

Heero glared daggers back over his shoulder to where Sally calmly stood, her stance was relaxed but he could tell immediately that she wasn?t going to let up about this. He cursed internally, he should have seen this coming, she had been planning it from the beginning. That was why she and John had let the matter slide for as long as they did, they had both assumed that sooner or later he would be cornered into this situation. Well he wasn?t just going to fold, dammit it was his body, and if he wasn?t concerned why should they be?

?Out of my way Barton,? Heero growled, but the taller man remained planted shaking his head slowly.

?We?re behind Sally one this one,? he answered after a moment.

His fists clenched and released the muscles in his arms cording each time, he noted Relena?s presence in the room as well, standing a couple of feet from him. Her expression was one of concern but she didn?t appear ready to jump into the fray, for which he was silently grateful.

?Heero you?re behaving irrationally,? Sally pointed out coming to stand closer to him so she was able to see his face, at least in profile.

?It?s irrational to want to make my own decisions?? he questioned dryly.

Sally shook her head raising her left hand one finger raised, ?It?s irrational to avoid these test because you?re afraid of what they might show.?

His eyes narrowed at her blunt words, he wasn?t afraid, Heero feared nothing, ?It?s been over half a year,? he had said it before, it was the soundest argument he had for why all the concern was so misplaced. ?What do you actually expect to find??

?I don?t know,? she stressed each word, ?That?s why I want the scans done, so I know what?s causing these headaches.? She sighed then her shoulders dropping a fraction, ?Look Heero, let me put it to you this way, if you don?t agree, I?m not going to let you out of my sight on this mission, and the pilots will help see to that.?

Trowa nodded his head to that, expression grim, he knew just how hard that would be, and what sort of tension it would put on their friendship. Heero opened his mouth to protest but Sally bulled him over, ?However, if you agree then I?ll agree to stay behind here on Earth, so in the end the choice is up to you, and you get to make your own decision.?

He fought back against the urge to punch something, but continued to glare darkly, it was then that Relena stepped up to his side. She didn?t reach out to touch him, didn?t close the distance too much, just came to where he could see her. He hesitated to look at her knowing what he?d see, what she?d do, he didn?t want to give in, he could make his way passed Trowa if he really wanted, but then what? ?Fine,? he growled at last and looked up at Relena to see a smile blossom on Relena?s face.

The tension in the room didn?t dissipate but he thought he heard Sally breathe a sigh of relief, ?Alright then, wait here I?ll get everything ready,? she walked from the room seconds later Trowa following behind. Heero didn?t let himself believe that his friend wouldn?t be standing on the other side of the door.

Heero sighed darkly as Relena finally closed the distance between them, her hands hovering over his arms for a moment before she lightly touched him, a smile touching the corner of her lips. ?Come over here,? she bade leading him back towards the exam table, which she hopped onto easily, ?Let me massage your neck,? Relena offered in a soft voice as her hand left his arm.

Turning around, Heero leaned back against the raised table in between Relena?s legs as her hand came to rest on his neck, warm fingers slowly working away at the tense muscles. He let his eyes fall closed as his weight settled back completely, his head tipping forward to allow Relena better access, it just felt so good. Slowly the pain behind his eye melted away and he relaxed further, a soft groan escaped his lips as Relena?s fingers worked a little deeper, able to put her weight down into it sitting above as she was.

She leaned forward kissing the back of his neck, hands slipping inside his shirt to lightly trace down his chest before she rested her head on his shoulder, ?How?s that feel?? she whispered into his ear.

Heero turned slowly so that he was facing her, and Relena maintained her close proximity pulling her hands out just long enough for him to turn then they were back inside his shirt laying against his back. He fought against the urge to stiffen, the brand on his left shoulder blade seeming to itch against the inside of his shirt, but Relena?s hands remained still warm against his back. He lay both hands on her legs before raising his right up to her side sneaking it beneath the hem of her shirt, pressing against her back Heero brought her to him.

He felt a shiver run through her whether from his touch or the kiss he didn?t know, but he felt her shift closer, one hand moving to his hair. He tilted his head further to the side, there was nothing between them now, and Heero felt like he could forget it all, in that moment. The door opening suddenly shattered the moment, and caused Relena to jump in surprise, but Heero didn?t turn.

?Obviously know how to make use of your down time,? Trowa commented in a dry observational tone.

?Sally?s ready for him?? Relena asked slipping her hair behind her ear trying to conceal her blush.

?Yeah, John?s down there too,? the taller man said holding to door opened for them.

Heero shook his head, ?She called in everyone?? he muttered darkly stepping away from the table so Relena could get down.

She hugged his arm, ?Just to show you how much we care.?

?Hn?? he grunted regarding her with a single eyebrow raised, he wouldn?t mind a little less care.

?C?mon,? she took his hand into hers and walked towards where Trowa was waiting, ?Sooner we get this done, the sooner we can?? she trailed off smiling at him as she dropped her head onto his shoulder.

Trowa walked several steps ahead of them the entire way, and in the silence that surrounded them Heero was only able to remember why he had wanted to avoid this from the beginning. His eyes glanced off down an adjoining hall seriously considering for a minute just how easy it?d be to disappear. No doubt however they must have taken that into consideration. He sighed inaudibly, the scans wouldn?t show anything, therefore there really wasn?t any reason to avoid them. He certainly wasn?t afraid, as Sally had implied, he just couldn?t see the need.

It wasn?t far for them to go to reach the room Sally and John waited in, just down a floor. He wasn?t given a chance to hesitate outside the door as Trowa opened it for all of them and Relena easily walked through. Frustration burned within him, at his want to hesitate, at these unknown emotions he couldn?t seem to control, at the cold sweat he felt breakout on his body. He wasn?t afraid!

John stood in a side room completely separated from the one he had been lead into, watching through the glass windows as Sally came to stand in front of him, ?CT scan first,? she announced her right hand moving out towards Heero while her left swept in the direction of the machine. Relena released his hand and stepped back as Heero reluctantly walk across the room, reluctant only that this had not been his decision, or so he attempted to tell himself, there was nothing else it could be. ?Alright, lay down,? she instructed.

Heero drew in a breath and did so trying to ignore the eyes watching him as he stretched himself out on the narrow table lowering his head to the rest that Sally adjusted for him. His eyes looked up towards the ceiling, he could still easily see most of the room, but chose not to look, he just wanted this over with. Sally leaned into his line of sight a hand resting briefly on his shoulder, ?Hold still, this won?t take long.?

He didn?t bother responding, and Sally clearly hadn?t been expecting one as she moved away from the table, directing both Trowa and Relena from the room as John started up the machine. Heero remained utterly still as she scanner hummed to life, this was going to get worse before it got better, the MRI would take longer and was far louder to deal with. Remaining still wasn?t a problem for him, he just wanted this over with, fighting back a sigh Heero continued to stare waiting for it to be over.

WMWMWMW

Heero stood in front the large window which dominated the wall behind Sally?s desk, while Relena sat in one of the chairs before the desk. Her eyes watching him calmly, she had been studying him since they had entered the office waiting to speak with Sally about the results of his physical. He was confident she could have no complaints about how he had done, it was the CT scan and MRI that left him wondering. He twisted a little, cobalt eyes glanced back at the rest of the room, they landed first on Relena, seeing a worried expression on her face he moved on quickly scanning over Sally?s neatly organized desk. The day calendar read January 25, it had been three days since the tests, and he had hardly been able to think of anything else.

?Why don?t you come and sit down?? Relena asked, her voice almost pleading, it was clear she didn?t know quite how to act. He just shook his head eyes returning to the window, ?Are you nervous??

?No,? he answered immediately, whether she?d believe him he didn?t know, he wasn?t even sure he could convince himself. In only a matter of three days he?d be leaving Earth along with the other pilots to end his mission, it was hard to keep his mind from just focusing on that. Or on this, he kept telling himself. Sally would find nothing that could keep him from this mission, but there was always a nagging doubt especially when the headaches became particularly strong.

?Sorry to keep you waiting,? Sally said as she opened the door to her office. Heero turned to look as she walked in carrying a folder in her hand. ?Why don?t you take a seat,? the doctor moved around to the back of her desk, pulling out her leather chair, and placing the folder down on her desk. Heero finally did so, taking the empty chair next to Relena?s and waited for Sally to begin.

?I?ll say right now, you passed the physical with flying colors, about the only complaint I have is with your weight,? her eyes flickered over him rather pointedly, ?But I?d imagine you could have guess that.?

?Hn??

?On to what you really came he to find out,? she flipped through several pages of the folder, ?I had your MRI and CT scan looked at by the top neurologist and he was able to find the problem, it?s easily repaired and not life threatening.?

?That?s great news,? Relena breathed and audible sigh o relief, ?Do you have any idea what happened to cause this??

Heero wasn?t really interested in that bit of information, he had heard what he had been sure of already, he knew there was nothing standing between himself and the mission, nothing else mattered. ?Well that took some puzzling together, but after speaking with Dante and Zechs I believe I know roughly what happened. The VR machine that both of you were hooked up to required a small wire to be fed up into your brain through the soft tissue behind your ear.? She folded her hands on the table, expression displeased, ?That?s how they were able to tap into your memories. I found the scar on you, Relena shortly after we got you back, though at the time I had no idea what caused it.?

She pushed her chair back a fraction turning it slightly, ?I found the same thing on you Heero,? she said pointing a finger to indicate his right ear.

?So why haven?t I suffered the headaches?? Relena questioned immediately, hand unconsciously moving to touch the skin behind her ear.

?That?s where Zechs came in. I learned from Dante that it was actually Heero who removed you from the VR, he took the time to shut everything down and unhook you as it had been meant to be done. Zechs, on the other hand, wasn?t that patient, and basically ripped Heero from the wiring and ran. That?s how the damage happened,? she looked directly at Heero, ?I want it repaired.?

?It?ll have to wait until after,? he wasn?t about to sideline himself over something that wasn?t life threatening.

She sighed, though she didn?t look the least bit surprised, ?I figured as much,? she came to her feet then, ?We?ll arrange something for after. Now if you?ll excuse me, I still have some patients I need to see to.?

Heero watched her leave the room as quickly as she had entered it taking with her all the reservation and nerves he had been unable to escape until then. He shifted to the edge of his seat immediately intent on leaving, there was still much that needed to be done before they left for Freedom?s Point but Relena?s hand on his arm stopped him and he looked over to her seeing tears standing out in the corner of her eyes. ?You took me out of VR?? she asked softly.

He nodded his head mutely wondering at her reaction.

?Did you kiss me?? her hand tightened on her arm, and he could feel a tremor run through her.

?Yes,? again he nodded, remembering that day rather clearly.

She smiled radiantly throwing her arms around his neck in a tight hug. ?I thought I had dreamed that!?

Thanks for Reading!

Taking Leave:

Sally swept a hand across the room, ?I?m sure you know the pilots,? a few select people within the agency actually knew they were the pilots. For the most part they had decided to keep that information to themselves but it helped to have a least a couple of people aware.

Tony smiled easily extending his hand first to Trowa then to Duo, ?Been a while,? he said nodding to Wufei who hadn?t bothered to get to his feet, but nodded in return continuing to work.

?So you?re the lucky commander Une chose to go with us,? Duo chuckled actually coming into his feet easily concealing the small item he carried in his left hand.

?He?s just lucky he doesn?t have to try and control any of you,? Une countered placing her cup of tea aside.

Kahlan glanced about the room calmly, ?You were a little vague on the details Sally, is this some sort of strategy meeting??

?Not exactly, I just wanted you to actually meet the men that you?re going to be responsible for on this mission,? she looked Duo?s way, ?There?s actually one left, he is coming right??

?Of course,? Duo affirmed subtly shifting his position as he glanced down at his watch, ?He should be here any second.?

As though on perfect cue, the door to the room opened and Heero walked in, ?What?s this all about Duo?? he asked immediately as both Tony and Kahlan turned, their expressions a wild mix of shock, confusion and something else that just made it so hilarious.

Duo snapped the picture laughing the entire time, ?Thanks man! Don?t think that could have gone any better!? he continued to chuckle as he made his way back to his seat, all the while feeling Heero?s glare on his back.

Morganeth Taren?drel

[lildragonfly]

oow a cute, short 1xR moment!!

great update!

can't wait for the next one!

[epyon]

yes, do continue, and thanks for the double posts!

and like i said, you keep writing, we keep reviewing, everyone's happy

[Morrighan]

Hee hee!! Loved the 1xR moment.

Can't wait to see the next chapter!!

[Adaon]

yay for updates!

Thanks for all your work on this story.

[Incantatrice]

Yes! I was so excited to see you updated this story. I've been loving in from the begining, can't wait for more

[takisha16]

*hugs*
I luuved the 1*R moment!!!
I was sooo nervous over the CT scan!
I thought Heero really had something!
I'm glad he's okay!
I loooved this part:

but Relena?s hand on his arm stopped him and he looked over to her seeing tears standing out in the corner of her eyes. ?You took me out of VR?? she asked softly.

He nodded his head mutely wondering at her reaction.

?Did you kiss me?? her hand tightened on her arm, and he could feel a tremor run through her.

?Yes,? again he nodded, remembering that day rather clearly.

She smiled radiantly throwing her arms around his neck in a tight hug. ?I thought I had dreamed that!?

It was soo cute!
I loved the preview!
Good old Duo!
I can't wait to see what the other agents think about Heero joining the mission!

[amulak]

I was totally nervous over Heero's results too O.O
I'm just glad that he's okay... whew!! It was so sweet too when Relena asked Heero if he had removed her from the machine...
I'm so glad that Heero allowed to scan to be done, and that he was willing to be agree and not try to dissapear.
I love your story, and I'm being completely honest, so thanks for continuing it despite all of the stinkyness of life- you made my day brighter!

[perfectpeach]

*tackles morganeth*

XD Update since forever much honey!

whee! the 1xRness had me squealing so loud my family thought we had rats again. *seriously, even my cat was on alert*

I have to say ive almost abandoned the 1XRness, but this just bought the spark back ^-^

[KPGUNDAM]

(Jumps up and down with joy)

Loved the Heero and Relena part More must have more

Keep up the good work